2022 NFL Mock Draft (FINAL) | Top 26-32 features three Georgia Bulldogs
This is the fifth and final installment of my 2022 NFL Mock Draft (FINAL) based on where each team currently is slated to pick (no trades).
Please keep in mind, my mocks are based on how I actually see the draft unfolding (based on analytics) & NOT whether or not I would select that player.
I’ll be breaking down the first-round of the draft in increments of 5-10 picks.
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Tennessee Titans | R1 (No. 26)
My Pick | OG Zion Johnson
My hit-rate on Robinson R1 draft picks | 0/7 (0%)
Analysis:
Just like the Dallas Cowboys, the Titans have a huge need for a starting-caliber LG. Johnson is one of my favorite players in this entire draft class and likely is an HC Mike Vrabel favorite.
No question, the Titans are a throwback--impose your will, down in the trenches team. The engine runs through RB Derrick Henry.
Give Henry a weapon upfront--how often do you hear IOL as a weapon? Definitely in Tennessee.
Tampa Bay Bucs | R1 (No. 27)
My Pick | DT Devonte Wyatt
My hit-rate on Licht R1 draft picks | 3/7 (43%)
Analysis:
GM Jason Licht favors SEC talent. In fact, 50% of his R1 picks hail from that power-5 conference. This year will be no different.
Wyatt comes with red flags (domestic violence) but his talent can’t be denied.
Licht favors high-character players but plays the risk/reward game here. Look for Wyatt to make his way to Tampa under new HC Todd Bowles while pairing with NT Vita Vea in that 3-4 base for the foreseeable future.
Green Bay Packers | R1 (No. 28)
My Pick | ILB Nakobe Dean
My hit-rate on Gutekunst R1 draft picks | 1/4 (25%)
Analysis:
The Packers are on the clock again after selecting ILB Quay Walker at No. 22. I’m hedging my bet here as the Packers again go defense at ILB.
Is this likely? No…but again hedging my bet that one of their R1 picks is defense.
My boy Dean is by far my favorite/cleanest prospect in this entire draft class. But doesn’t get the hype. Why? 5-11, 229.
Dean is the perfect inside linebacker the team needs…
Scouting Report | 8.6
An instinctive, physical, and smart off-ball LB who wins the leverage game with a non-stop motor and sideline-to-sideline presence (4.5 speed), Dean is no doubt the next great Georgia off-ball LB. He sniffs plays out pre-snap (film-junkie) and can move with RB/WRs on-orbit motions and jet-sweeps in space–Dean is the real deal and perfect for today’s off-ball LB who can double up as a pass-coverage asset.
In 11 games graded, Dean graded out with a DOB grade of 8.6 T-2nd among all DEF players in this entire DEF draft class.
Pass-Coverage Grade:
Total: 10/20 for 20 yards, 0 TDs, 2 INTs, 1 PBU | QBPR: 16.7
Kansas City Chiefs (via Dolphins) | R1 (No. 29)
My Pick | WR George Pickens
My hit-rate on Veach R1 draft picks | 0/1 (0%)
Analysis:
This pick is purely based on NEED and projection. Pickens has R1 talent but suffered a torn ACL and comes with red flags including (water bottle incident). Immaturity is a concern but his HWS and talent can’t be denied.
QB Pat Mahomes needs a replacement for the loss of WR Tyreek Hill. At 6-3, 195, Pickens adds speed between the 20s while winning 50-50 balls down in the red zone. He won’t stick around in R2--as I’m hearing the Jaguars will pounce on him with their first pick in R2.
Veach plays the risk-reward game and takes his chances in the SEC product.
Kansas City Chiefs | R1 (No. 30)
My Pick | CB Roger McCreary
My hit-rate on Veach R1 draft picks | 0/1 (0%)
Analysis:
Just like Pickens--McCreary won’t last long in R2. The Chiefs recently signed SS Justin Reid (Texans) while adding WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (Steelers) and WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling (Packers).
No question the team needs boundary CB help.
McCreary is another one of my favorites as I graded four games in 2021.
Scouting Report | 5.8
A boundary CB with fluid hips, McCreary has the NFL skill-set to be a Pro Bowl-caliber CB in NFL. He can mirror-match receivers downfield while making plays on the football with solid fundamentals.
He displays patient feet and a good cadence in his backpedal cutting down false steps at LOS in press. While always seeming to be in position running against the stem, he does lose leverage at the breakpoint (top of WR route)–once WR comes off the stem (mainly speed-out and shallow dig-routes).Â
McCreary gives up a sizeable cushion in zone coverage that will need to be cleaned up in NFL as he protects the sticks. He played well against Penn State WR Jahan Dotson and played well vs Alabama WR Jameson Williams in the first half.
In the second half, McCreary was seen matched up vs WR John Metchie III and was abused while being targeted often. To play devil’s advocate, he did have 4 PBUs in the game and showed NFL movement skills vs NFL talent WRs.Â
2021: 18/38 for 296 yards, 0 TDs, 1 INT, 7 PBUs | QBPR: 63.1Â
Cincinnati Bengals | R1 (No. 31)
My Pick | DE/OLB David Ojabo
My hit-rate on Tobin R1 draft picks | 3/9 (33%)
Analysis:
The Bengals could surprise everyone and take OC Tyler Linderbaum OR they could address a need in injured Ojabo.
Ojabo will not be around long in R2. He was considered a sure-fire tail-end R1 pick before suffering a torn ACL at his Michigan pro day.
Bengals have DE Trey Hendrickson and DE Sam Hubbard but Ojabo would be a nice insurance policy in case the team opts to move on from Hubbard in 2024. Why 2024? That’s when his dead money depletes in a potential cost-cutting move—saving the team $6.1M.
Staying two steps ahead--look for Ojabo to potentially make his way to the reigning AFC champs.
Detroit Lions | R1 (No. 32)
My Pick | S Daxton Hill
My hit-rate on Holmes R1 draft picks | 1/1 (100%)
Analysis:
After selecting DE/OLB Aidan Hutchinson at the top of the draft, look for the Lions to double down on those gains with S Daxton Hill. A player who can line up in the slot, Hill would be a nice addition to DC Aaron Glenn’s secondary.
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